Da Capo (Manifesto)

[Zhenya]

The men postured amongst themselves, and Zhenya was content to leave them to it, especially when Seven so beautifully handled the foolishness with his usual grace and aplomb. Then, on the heels of answers, Cruz was gone in a cloud of charm and exuberance. Zhenya was amused but not offended, though perhaps she might check in with the boy’s grandfather in a few days. A calling card to the underworld did sound a little ominous, and she would be aggrieved if the evening’s amusements ended up in true harm.

Seven’s companion fell quiet in the aftermath. The toll of his unusual gifts perhaps; he barely seemed able to look at either of them any more. Or else perhaps a symptom of him being so very out of place in his environment. Either way Zhenya took some small pity on his sufferance; he had been nothing but complimentary to her. She slipped an arm about Seven’s waist, leaning to press a kiss upon his cheek. "I fear your friend is wilting, and may need tending," she said, laughing a little as she caressed a thumb to wipe the glossy mark left by her lips. "You will not think too badly of me if I take my leave."

She did not move to touch Z, though it was out of consideration for the apparent strain on him, and not coolness on her part. A discreet touch at the slender bracelet on her risk alerted Yulian as to her intentions to leave; the car would be ready before her feet left the threshold.